While this reviewer has to admit, I wish that PARAMOUNT could waste the money to reshoot every one of OJ Simpson's scenes over again with another actor replacing him,  I still "love" the "NAKED GUN" series.  It holds up so well!  While that may not seem like a great feat,  I mean it's not a Capra film from the '30s, but, to overcome the shock of seeing someone as despicable as Simpson in a comedy, is a testament to the wit of the filmmakers.  Leslie Nielsen stars as Frank Drebin, an American type of Inspector Clouseau.  His approach to the lines and gags truly seems like it had an influence on "Austin Powers" in some ways.  The first of the series, "NAKED GUN", is by far the best.  We get introduced to Nielsen and his love interest, a beautiful Pricilla Presley, and their dating montage alone makes this film a comedy classic!  Sure, some of the gags don't work, but if you throw a thousand zingers, some have got to stick!

PARAMOUNT has enhanced the transfer for 16:9 viewing, and it has minimal artifacts, however there is some infrequent grain.  More importantly, there's great depth of imagery, and the colors are perfectly rendered.  The dolby digital 5.1 sound mix, while not extremely active, comes to life whenever the great score is heard. 

There's a great audio commentary, that's almost as funny as the film itself.  The wit of the director, writer, producer, and host is remarkable, as is evidenced in a great moment wherein they confront the OJ Simpson dilemma head on!

We found the second entry of the series, "NAKED GUN 2 1/2" to be the weakest of the three.  Still, it's far funnier than most films out there.  It's just that the really good laughs are spaced farther apart by more medicore ones.  In this entry, Drebbin battles villain Robert Goulet and his plans to destroy the environment.  Priscilla Presley is back, and there are more than enough "grab your sides with laughter" moments to recommend the film.  

The transfer to this one is a little more problematic than the first film.  While it still looks good, it's very soft.  Minimal grain and artifacts.  The dolby digital 5.1 sound also offers a less active soundstage.  The audio commentary, while at times funny, is filled with much more behind-the-scenes info than the original film offered.

"NAKED GUN 33 1/3"  gets close to achieving the continoum of great laughs offered in the first film.  The plot pits Drebbin against a gangster, fresh out of prison, with plans to ruin the Academy Awards.  This opens the opportunity for gags to involve big names.  Raquel Welch is on hand for one slapstick sequence that has her nearly choking on a microphone.  Drebbin's impersonation of Donahue, not only brings a sense of nostalgia to the film, but great creativity as well!  Anna Nicole Smith is on hand, and she looks better than she ever has before or since.  Her beauty also lends to one great/sick moment with Drebbin near the end of the film, reminiscent of a gag found in the Austin Powers sequel.

The transfer is extremely sharp, with virtually no artifacts, and a great polished look overall.  Colors are perfectly rendered, and there's great definition in every scene.  The dolby digital 5.1 sound mix is filled with directional effects.  The audio commentary, is filled with more laughs than the second film, making it a near-laugh riot on its own!